Eight Savannah-area wrestlers competed in their respective Georgia High School Association classification and weight class, securing spots in the state championship matches. Two wrestlers won gold medals at the GHSA traditional wrestling tournament: South Effingham's Eli Wood and defending champion Aston Anderson.
Champions Crowned:
- 6A-138: Eli Wood (South Effingham) defeated Jefferson Cuttino (Glynn Academy) with a decisive 2-1 victory. Boasting a 57-7 record, Wood brings home his 1st-place gold medal in his weight class.
- 6A-285: Ashton Anderson (South Effingham) It took a tiebreaker match against River Creel (35-6/Brunswick) to be crowned back-to-back GHSA state champion. The final score in the tiebreaker was 4-1, securing Anderson's second title. He finished the season with a record of 59 wins and 5 losses, earning another gold medal.
Runners-Up Showcased Grit:
Despite falling short of the ultimate prize, several wrestlers earned exceptional runner-up titles.
- 4A-126: Connor Desautels (Benedictine Military School) put up a battle against Ty Murray (50-2/Central Carroll), 13-3, placing second with a 51-12 record.
- 6A-106: Christopher Hardeman (South Effingham) He came in second place with a record of 54-11, dropping his match to Donavon Spry (48-5) from Jackson County.
- 6A-120: Emilio Santana (South Effingham) battled hard against Clayton Hicks (56-5/Brunswick), losing 8-2, earning a second-place finish with a 55-7 record.
- 6A-144: Gannon White (South Effingham) placed second with a 51-7 record after a close match (6-5) against Jack Garrett (48-5/Blessed Trinity Catholic).
- 6A-157: Brandon Bringer (South Effingham), in a tough decision loss, 6-4, secured second place with a 57-2 record, losing to Dylan Reel (46-6/Woodward Academy).
- 110 Girls: Izzy West (Richmond Hill HS) earned second place with a 32-3 record after falling to the undefeated Brooke French (35-0/Allatoona).
These champions and runners-up wrestlers have demonstrated their dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport, leaving their mark on the state championships. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding performances!
PHOTO: GHSA & Just Shoot Sports
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